A Special Message From
Your Department Commander

An Independence Day Message From Your Commander

Greetings to my “AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY’,

As we approach this “Independence Day”, take time to stop and reflect on what happened 2 1/2 centuries ago that made this the great celebration that it is. Think of the colonists that gave their lives and everything they had for the freedoms that we enjoy today. So we could form this “UNION” as the greatest country in the world. “ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY and JUSTICE FOR ALL”  was what our forefathers fought and died for so we could raise our families in “The Land of The Free Because of The Brave”.

That same Patriotism is what has been passed down from generation to generation and kept this country alive. Now you’ve heard me say that I  feel this country has never been this divided since the Civil War. It is our job as Legion Family to close that division and reunite this country as the “Republic” it was formed to be. Ben Franklin stated, “What we have here is a Republic if we can keep it,” let’s not let him down. The thousands of lives that were shed to keep us together have come with a price that can only be repaid by keeping what those brave men and women fought for. So it is our duty to “Inculcate a Sense of Individual Obligation to Our Community, Stae, and Nation!” 

As I visited with our Boys Staters this year, I reminded them they are our future and to take what they learned and apply it back in their own communities. When I addressed Girls State at their Inauguration it was somewhat emotional delivering the same message. But I was thankful I attended and met so many young men and women who give me the faith that we will carry on and be very successful. As President Nixon said, “Freedom is but one generation away from extinction, it can not be handed down, it must be fought for and defeated with each generation.” I challenge all generations to do just that!

So let’s go forward this Fourth of July with our heads held high and be one of those “Flag Waving Son-of-a-Guns” and show our families and communities that The American Legion is still strong yet today and we have no plans of giving in or going away. Show that we stand for every word in our Preamble to the Legion Constitution because it is based on our forefathers’ pledges to this nation for nearly 250 years and should continue another 250.

So, go celebrate with your family and friends, but remember the truth of why we celebrate. May God Bless each and everyone and may God Bless us to Reunite this Great Country!!!!!!!

For God and Country,
Commander Bob Waugh

“Build and Fight”